📘

Learning Objectives

• Understand recurring export scheduling.
• Configure a scheduled export.
• Manage and monitor the execution of exports.

---

Overview

Scheduled exports allow you to automate the export of files at regular intervals. With Crontab scheduling, files are automatically generated and sent at a specific time to a designated location. Automated exports save time, ensure reliability, and provide optimal management of your data flows. They are particularly useful in the following cases:

1. Updating product sheets across distribution channels
   • Regular synchronization of product sheets,
   • Reduction of errors due to manual updates,
   • Improved consistency of information between business tools.
2. Data archiving and reporting
   • Creation of backup copies of exports,
   • Prevention of data loss in case of an incident,
   • Periodic extraction of data for reporting purposes.
3. Synchronization with partners and suppliers
   • Automated sharing of stock and pricing data,
   • Reduction of exchange times and improved collaboration.

Scheduled data exports ensure a regular, reliable, and automated process. This helps reduce manual interventions and ensures regular updates to your data.

👍🏼

Good to know

You must have previously created export profiles for data flows before configuring automatic exports. See the Export Profiles course.

---

Create a Scheduled Export

Access Scheduled Exports

• From the administration menu, go to the Scheduled Exports section.

  

• The recurring exports already scheduled will appear in the list. Click on Schedule export to create a new one.

Define an Export Schedule

A form appears with four sections:

Schedule Identity

• Name (mandatory): define a name to identify the export.
• Description (optional): add details about the export.
• Active: the export is active by default, but can be disabled.

Select the Export Profile

• Choose an existing export profile or create a new one.
• An export profile is required to schedule an export.

Set Recurrence (Crontab)

• Crontab: defines the execution frequency (e.g., every day at midnight).
• Use the Crontab Generator to create a valid expression.
• Time zone: select the appropriate time zone (e.g., Europe/Paris).

👍🏼

Good to know

You don't need to master Crontab syntax to set the recurrence with the Crontab generator. Here is an example of Crontab syntax for a scheduled export every Monday at midnight: 0 0 ? * MON 0 0 → Executes the task at 00:00 (midnight).
? → Replaces an uncertain value for the day of the month
* → Every month.
MON → Executes only on Monday.

File Destination

The generated export must be sent to a remote server. Configure the destination for the recurring export in this section:

• Protocol (mandatory): FTP or SFTP for file transfer.
• Full directory path of the file destination (mandatory): enter the full address of the exported file.
• Connection login and Password (if required): provide the credentials for the connection.

Once the form is completed, click Create to save the schedule.

---

Manage Scheduled Exports

Edit an Export

• Select an existing export and click Edit.

• All parameters are editable, except the export profile.
• Click Save to apply the changes.

Delete an Export

• Click the Delete icon from the exports list or the edit page.

• Deletion is permanent and cannot be recovered.

Monitor the Execution of Exports

• Check the activity reports to view the status of exports and retrieve the generated files.

---

📘

In summary

Scheduled exports allow for the automation of file transfers at defined intervals, thus reducing the need for manual intervention.

Configuring a Scheduled Export:

• Access via the administration menu.
• Select an existing export profile or create a new one.
• Define the execution frequency using Crontab (e.g., every Monday at midnight).
• Set the destination (FTP/SFTP) with login credentials.

Managing Exports:

• Edits are possible (except for the export profile selection).
• Deletion is permanent with no recovery possible.
• Track exports and retrieve files from the activity log.

---

Next Chapter

Now that you know how to schedule automatic data exports with Crontab, let's explore how to Import, Export, and Manage the PIM Data Model.